Chez Joel

Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

Inspector’s note: Observed 3 live cockroaches on the wall of the basement food prep area around the exposed hand washing sink. Additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: 4-602.13 clean the interior of the deep fryer and ovens.

Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

Inspector’s note: Observed live insects and evidence of rodent activity on the premises. Observed approx. 50 live small flying insects in and around the countertop in front of the coffee service area and in the basement. Also observed approx. 100 mouse droppings on the floor, in the motor cavity of the chest freezer, on the wood and ledges in the basement surrounding the water heater, ice machine, in the dry storage and dressing room. Additional pest control service is needed to eliminate the pest activity throughout. All mouse droppings must be cleaned and removed. Priority foundation violation 7-38-020(a). Citation issued.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Observed rust and chipped paint on the storage shelves in the basement meat walk-in cooler. Management instructed to repaint or replace the shelves.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Clean the interior of the deep fryer and ovens.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed the top cap missing from the backflow prevention device connected to the low temperature dish machine and the device to be leaking water from the top. Management instructed to replace the backflow prevention device.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed multiple areas of chipped paint on the ceiling drywall in the 1st floor food prep area. Management instructed to scrape and repaint the affected areas.

Food wasn’t labeled or wasn’t in its original container.

Inspector’s note: Noted no labels for bulk storage containers (pasta). The instructed person in charge of all bulk and working food ingredient containers must be labeled with the contents' names.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Observed milk crates being used as shelving throughout the prep and storage areas. Must remove and provide shelving 6" off the floor and provide floor accessibility to ensure adequate facility cleaning.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed heavy ice build-up and other debris inside the chest freezers located in the basement. Must defrost, remove ice, clean, and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Observed plastic tape wrapped around the floor drain beneath the sprayer arm sink. Instructed management to remove plastic and provide cleanable fixtures only.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean debris from gasket in refrigerator located in main kitchen.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed heavy dust on fan vent in women's bathroom. Must clean and maintain.

Food wasn’t protected from contamination during prep, storage, or display.

Inspector’s note: Noted splashguard needed in two areas. Observed no splashguard between main prep area handsink and reach in cooler prep counter and also between bar handsink and drainboard of 3-compartment sink in bar area. Must install a washable splashguard to prevent contamination.

Clean utensils, equipment, or linens weren’t stored and handled properly.

Inspector’s note: Observed plates, bowls and containers stored in prep area not inverted. Instructed management to invert plates after sanitizing and air drying.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Observed peeling paint and exposed foam-like caulk on the walls and ceiling of dry storage basement room. Instructed to resurface to ensure a smooth and easily cleanable surface.

Equipment and surfaces were dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean cooking equipment exterior and bottom of fryer.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Instructed to clean floors around and under cooking equipment and in basement.

A previously cited basic violation still wasn’t fixed.

Inspector’s note: Previous core violation from january 10, 2019 was not corrected as required; must correct. Priority foundation violation 7-42-090 issued. #58. Instructed the person in charge that all city of chicago food service managers must obtain the required food allergen training.

Thermometers were missing or inaccurate.

Inspector’s note: All refrigeration units in need of thermometers to be visible at all times. Correct and maintain.

Insects, rodents, or animals were present, or the building wasn’t sealed against them.

Inspector’s note: Rear exit door not rodent proofed must correct to protect all outer openings.

Wiping cloths weren’t used or stored properly.

Inspector’s note: All wiping cloths must be stored in a clean sanitizing solution when not in use. Correct and maintain.

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: All worn wood utensils ust be replaced. Correct and maintain

Equipment or surfaces were in poor repair or made of material that can’t be cleaned.

Inspector’s note: Cutting board at reachin cooler at hot line in need of replacing. Worn discolored. Cutting board at front bar in need of replacing worn and discolored. Correct and maintain.

Plumbing problems, or missing protection against backflow.

Inspector’s note: Leak at p-trap at front bar sink. Leak at faucer at handsink in basement prep area. Correct and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Floors under dish machine in need detail cleaning to remove all build up. Must clean and maintain.

Floors, walls, or ceilings were damaged or dirty.

Inspector’s note: Ceiling has chipping paint that must be removed. Correct and maintain.

Ventilation or lighting was inadequate.

Inspector’s note: Light in prep area in need of sheilding. Correct and maintain.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Must install splash guard between hand sink and prep table/cooler in prep area. Discontinue using milk crates for storage racks throughout prep, walk-in cooler and basement prep areas. Replace broken door gaskets on prep cooler across from grill, salad prep cooler and walk-in cooler in basement. Replace cutting board in prep area, dark stains and groove present.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Clean excessive grease accumulation from kitchen hood.

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector’s note: Must replace burned out lights in prep area and in dry storage room in basement. Also, clean unknown debris from light shields in both toilet rooms.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Must repair leaky pipe underneath exposed hand sink behind the bar. Also, increase cold water pressure at exposed hand sink in womens toilet room.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Chipping wire shelving basement walk-in coolers, chipping bottom counter table basement prep area, chipping raw wood shelves in hallway storage area, and cracked lid to dry storage containers, all in poor repair, instructed to replace or repair, all surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable,

Food protected during storage, preparation, display, service and transportation

Inspector’s note: Ice machine not clean, source of cross contamination, interior top area, have black substance build-up, instructed to clean and better maintain, serious violation: 7-38-005 (a)

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Chipping wire shelving basement walk-in coolers, chipping bottom counter table basement prep area, chipping raw wood shelves in hallway storage area, and cracked lid to dry storage containers, all in poor repair, instructed to replace or repair, all surfaces must be smooth and easily cleanable,

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Floors not clean basement area, instructed to clean daily,

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Light shields first floor prep area not clean, instructed to clean daily,

Toilet room doors self closing: dressing rooms with lockers provided: complete separation from living/sleeping quarters

Inspector’s note: Employees storage area in basement not clean, instructed to clean daily,

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Rusty shelves on bottom of all prep tables and on wire racks in coolers. Instd to remove all rusty surfaces

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector’s note: Light out in walk-in cooler. Replace same.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Exposed handsink missing at bar area. Provide same

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector’s note: Extreme clutter in basement rear storage areas (multiple rooms), and also back porch area. Instd to remove any unnecessary articles and organize

Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

Inspector’s note: Multi use utensils/place settings improperly stored, silverware, glasses, plates are set on table and are not reset as customers are seated. Instd to re set table as customers are seated, or have place setting wrapped

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Rusty shelves on bottom of all prep tables and on wire racks in coolers. Instd to remove all rusty surfaces

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Exposed handsink missing at bar area. Provide same.

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector’s note: Extreme clutter in basement rear storage areas (multiple rooms), and also back porch area. Instd to remove any unnecessary articles and organize.

No evidence of rodent or insect outer openings protected/rodent proofed, a written log shall be maintained available to the inspectors

Inspector’s note: Mice droppings (over 40) noted scattered on floor around hot water tank. Front door not rodent proof, approx 1/2 inch gap noted at bottom of door. Instd to remove all droppings, clean and sanitize affected areas, rodent proof door so as to be tight fitting. Citation issued 7-38-020 serious.

Clean multi-use utensils and single service articles properly stored: no reuse of single service articles

Inspector’s note: Multi use utensils/place settings improperly stored, silverware, glasses, plates are set on table and are not reset as customers are seated. Instd to re set table as customers are seated, or have place setting wrapped.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Cutting boards stained with deep, dark grooves. Instd to clean and maintain all cutting boards. Rusty shelves on bottom of all prep tables and on wire racks in coolers. Instd to remove all rusty surfaces.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Walk in cooler ceiling in poor repair, uneven surface with mold like substance. Instd to repair and maintain surface. Lightshields through out 1st floor prep area not clean. Clean same and mantain. Ceiling and walls in basement not clean, debris, spider webs. Instd to clean and maintain same.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Exposed handsink missing at bar area. Provide same. Splashguard missing at 1st floor exposed handsink and cutting board. Instd to provide proper barrier to prevent possible contamination on cutting board.

Premises maintained free of litter, unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment properly stored

Inspector’s note: Extreme clutter noted in basement rear storage area. Instd to remove any unnecessary articles and organize area.

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

Inspector’s note: All prepared and/or foods removed from original containers held over 24 hours must be labeled and dated.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Using garbage bags to store uncovered foods in in deep freezer in the basement prep area. Remove excessive ice build-up from deep freezers in basement prep area. Replace cracked and broken lids to bulk food storage bins in basement prep area. Paint rusty exterior of deep freezer and rusty floor inside rear walk-in cooler in basement prep area. Paint raw wood shelves behind bar.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Clean the following: sides and interiors of cooking equipment(ovens, and deep fryers) on cook line, and all cutting boards in first floor prep area.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Detail clean floors along all bases of the walls, in corners, underneath and behind all heavy equipment throughout first floor and basement food prep and storage areas(dirt, and debris noted). Also need to keep floor near ice ice machine dry and level area of floor where water constantly puddles. Seal hole in rear section in basement near dishwashing chemicals.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Smooth, clean and paint all walls and doors on first floor, in areas leading to, and in basement where surfaces are chipping and not clean. Paint raw wood door in basement. Clean dust and debris from light shields and vents in both washrooms.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Properly secure waste line connected to ice machine above floor drain to prevent excessive water on floor in same area.

Food handler requirements met

Inspector’s note: Any food handler working in the City of Chicago, unless that person has a valid Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate is required to meet the food handler training requirement. If someone working in a facility that is not a food handler on a regular basis, but fills in as a food handler when needed, they too must have food handler training.

Food and non-food contact surfaces properly designed, constructed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Raw wood at wait station and in basement prep area in need of repair where water damaged. Must replace and maintain at all times.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Must clean under and around all cooking equipment to remove all grease and food build up. Clean all equipment. Must correct and maintain at all times.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Floors under and around all equipment in need of cleaning to remove all build up. Must clean and maintain at all times.

Walls, ceilings, attached equipment constructed per code: good repair, surfaces clean and dust-less cleaning methods

Inspector’s note: Walls in prep area by dish machine in need of cleaning to remove all splatter. Must clean and maintain at all times.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: Noted heavy grease build up in between cooking equipment. Must detail clean to remove grease and debris.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: Noted floors in kitchen in poor repair (damage and missing floor tiles). Floors must be smooth and easily cleanable. Also floors need cleaning in between equipment to remove spills and debris including floor drains.

Food in original container, properly labeled: customer advisory posted as needed

Inspector’s note: All food not stored in the original container shall be stored in properly labeled containers.ALL FOOD NOT STORED IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS MUST BE LABLED AT ALL TIMES.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily.MUST DETAIL CLEAN INTERIOR OF ALL FRYERS, UNDER ALL GRILLS TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE AND INTERIOR OF PRODUCE REFRIGERATORS AT KITCHEN.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. MUST DETAIL CLEAN FLOORS AT KITCHEN TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE BEHIND, AND UNDER ALL COOKING EQUIPMENT.

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector’s note: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. SHIELD THE LIGHTING IN THE KITCHEN AND ABOVE FREEZER NEXT TO REFRIGERATOR.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: Ventilation: All plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, washbasins, etc., must be adequately trapped, vented, and re-vented and properly connected to the sewer in accordance with the plumbing chapter of the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health.MUST REPAIR LEAKY PIPE UNDER 3COMP SINK AND AT EXPOSED HANDSINK AT KITCHEN.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination.MUST PROVIDE ICE UTENSIL DISPENSING HOLDER AT ALL ICE BOXES ON PREMISES AT ALL TIMES.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. THE MEAT WALK IN COOLER SHELVES, THE KITCHEN DESSERT COOLER INTERIOR. AND THE 1 DOOR PREP COOLER ARE DIRTY; WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE AND REPAIR THE ABOVE ITEMS SO THEY ARE SMOOTH, SANITARY AND EASY TO MAINTAIN.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. THE FLOOR TILES ARE CRACKED IN THE UPSTAIRS PREP AREA FLOOR, THE BASEBOARDS ARE WET AND DIRTY INSIDE OF THE BAR AND THE NORTH EAST WALK IN COOLER THRESH HOLD IS DAMAGED AND UNSANITARY. CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE FLOORS AND BASEBOARDS SO THEY ARE SMOOTH AND SANITARY FROM CORNER TO CORNER.

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector’s note: SHIELD THE LIGHTING IN THE KITCHEN AND ABOVE THE DISHMACHINE Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities.

Ventilation: rooms and equipment vented as required: plumbing: installed and maintained

Inspector’s note: The drain cover in the basement is dirty and not covered tightly, close the cover tight and clean and sanitize area.

Food and non-food contact equipment utensils clean, free of abrasive detergents

Inspector’s note: All food and non-food contact surfaces of equipment and all food storage utensils shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized daily. Replace the rusty kitchen towel dispenser. Resurface or replace any pock marked, unsanitary cutting boards.

Floors: constructed per code, cleaned, good repair, coving installed, dust-less cleaning methods used

Inspector’s note: The floors shall be constructed per code, be smooth and easily cleaned, and be kept clean and in good repair. Clean the floor behind the broiler.

Lighting: required minimum foot-candles of light provided, fixtures shielded

Inspector’s note: Shielding to protect against broken glass falling into food shall be provided for all artificial lighting sources in preparation, service, and display facilities. Shield the fixture above the basement prep table.

Food (ice) dispensing utensils, wash cloths properly stored

Inspector’s note: Between uses and during storage ice dispensing utensils and ice receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination.